On the bluffs of the Illinois River, this small but charming park is home to an enormous outdoor sculpture. Mounds representing five earthen sculptures molded from Illinois clay, known as Effigy Tumuli, invite visitors to walk around and explore. All five subjects, including a snake, turtle, catfish, frog and insect are native to the Illinois River area. This State Park offers the ideal terrain for the beginner hiker.

Geneva restaurants create an array of specialties under an outdoor tent at the “Flavor Fare” partnered with wine and live musical entertainment. The Fall Harvest Market offers food and floral demos, unique displays plus Kid’s Patch activities. An arts and crafts show, flower market, horse-drawn carriage rides and several exceptional wine tasting and dinner events also take place around the historic downtown.

Go on a one of a kind country adventure you'll never forget! Become pioneers for a day on a real 1800s farm and village. Miniature train rides, pony rides, petting zoo, pioneer craft demonstrations, and special events. In the Discovery Barn see chickens, sheep, piglets, baby goats and more.

The Holiday Light Train is Pete's biggest event of the year. The park is decorated for the Holidays. See over 250,000 lights in various displays. Giant toy soldiers, candy canes, cascading snow flakes, flying reindeer, and swans swimming, just to name a few of Pete's displays!

Find impressive savings at over 120 designer and name-brand outlet stores, such as Ann Taylor, Armani, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Coach, Cole Haan, Elie Tahari, Gap Outlet, J.Crew, Lacoste, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Michael Kors, Theory, Vera Bradley and more. The opening of an additional 80 stores in the Spring of 2015 will make this even more of a Midwest Shopping destination! In Aurora, 37 miles west of Chicago.

Looking for that perfect daring escape for you, your friends or family? Zip Chicago Canopy Tours provides an experience you will not soon forget. It will create memories that last a life time. The tour is completely guided and contains no motorized machines for propulsion. All you have to do is enjoy your flight! Our guests can reach speeds of up to 45 mph. The platforms and suspension bridges are surrounded by an assortment of native trees. Check out our different tours to see which adventure is the right one for you!

The I&M Canal Trail offers 61 miles of picturesque hiking and biking trails that follow the historic route of the I&M Canal from Channahon to LaSalle. The Trail also boasts Illinois’ longest continuous snowmobile trail, and is a favored route for cross-country skiers.

If you are looking for affordable summer fun, look no further than Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway. We provide the fastest entertainment in the area and play host to NASCAR, NHRA, and Team Demolition Derby on three different tracks. Headlining at Route 66 Raceway, the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals presented by Super Start Batteries takes place on June 28-30. At Chicagoland Speedway, make sure to join us on September 13-15, for the first race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup! As the first of 10 Chase races, the GEICO 400 begins NASCAR's thrilling playoffs. With a wide variety of family friendly options, you can't beat summer at Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66 Raceway.

The Illinois River slices a 273-mile long path through the state—its waters lapping along the shores of many cities, including LaSalle, Peru, Peoria and Ottawa to name just a few. It’s in Ottawa where the Illinois River meets Buffalo Rock. Buffalo Rock sits like a sandstone island above the surrounding land and the Illinois River, and offers sweeping views of this famed waterway. Whether you’re kayaking or canoeing, you’ll experience the shear power of the winding river that was carved by glacial melt water in all its seasonal colors, with its various incarnations of forests, wetlands, bluffs and prairies to enjoy.

Nestled in the heart of the Fox Valley, and home to dozens of delightful shops, restaurants and galleries is Geneva – a picture postcard. Come stroll along the lush, tree-lined streets and visit a historic town with exquisite dining, boutique shopping, world-class lodging and award-winning festivals. Located 50 miles from downtown Chicago, Geneva is a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle by I-88, I-90 or Metra train.

Kuipers Family Farm is a 230 acre entertainment farm. U-Pick Apple Orchard September thru October. Orchard Store is open thru Mid December offering apples, pasteurized apple cider, our famous cider donuts, home baked pies, cream & butter fudge & country gifts and goodies. Have we grown a challenge for you at The Amazing Maize Maze open weekends only thru October. U-Pick Pumpkin Farm Mid September thru October features Scarecrow Acres where customers can enjoy hay wagon and pony rides, the Haunted Forest, a petting corral and much more down-on-the-farm fun! U-Cut or precut Christmas Trees Nov. thru Mid Dec.

This “granddaddy” of Illinois festivals features a host of family-friendly activities with live musical entertainment, a carnival, rosemaling show, pet parade, kids’ day fun, grand parade, the state’s largest music competition, multi-ethnic food plus great shopping in our historic downtown. Geneva’s train station is located just blocks from the festivities.

The Joliet Slammers are a professional baseball team based in Joliet, IL that play in the independent Frontier League. Home games are played at Silver Cross Field in Joliet. They are the 2011 Frontier League champions.